Driller Operator

An employee was attempting to clean out a previously blasted vertical drill hole with an air hose. A sudden release of pressure from an unknown source inside of the hole forced material to be ejected from the hole and struck the employee. The employee passed away from the incident.

Brendan P. DeMasters, a 40-year-old Contract Foreman, died on October 2, 2018, while attempting to clean out a previously blasted, vertical drill hole with a high pressure compressed air line. While kneeling with his torso positioned over the hole, DeMasters tried to push the grout line through an obstruction approximately 30 feet down the hole. A sudden release of pressure propelled remnant stemming material from the hole, striking DeMasters in the chest. Contract management did not take all necessary precautions to protect persons working with compressed air while cleaning out an obstruction in a vertical drill hole, including ensuring that personnel were safely positioned during the procedure.

1. Contract management did not ensure adequate procedures to protect persons working with compressed air while cleaning out an obstruction in a vertical drill hole, including positioning of personnel during this process.

   Corrective action: The contractor developed a plan and procedures and then trained employees on the new plan with procedures for cleaning previously blasted vertical drill holes when an obstruction has been encountered. This plan addresses safe work procedures and where personnel are to be positioned during the various phases of drill hole cleaning process.

Findings from MSHA's final investigation report, which supersedes the preliminary narrative above.

Activity at time of incident

Handling Supplies Or Material

Subunit / location

UNDERGROUND

Underground location

FACE

Mining method

Conventional Stoping

Accident type

Struck by flying object

Source of injury

BROKEN ROCK,COAL,ORE,WSTE

Nature of injury

MULTIPLE INJURIES

Body part affected

MULTIPLE PARTS (MORE THAN ONE MAJOR)

Total mining experience

20 years

Experience at this mine

0 years

Experience in this job

20 years

Degree of injury

FATALITY